Matthew Cochran

“Commanding stage presence, intimate expression and inventive interpretation” Soundboard

"Artfulness in composition is almost a trademark of Cochran’s work” No Depression

Cochran’s guitar recitals often include his original works for classical and electric guitars and electronics. In the 2021-2022 season Cochran wrote and premiered Three Non-Algorithmic Human Interactions and Toccata for Joe for solo classical guitar, Prelude and Stomp for solo electric guitar, and Hope Begins in the Dark for electric guitar and electronics, a co-commission by guitarist Tom Clippinger and Chase Bliss Audio. The 2023-2024 season will include a new work for flute choir featuring Nancy Stagnitta, a guitar ensemble piece for Oklahoma City University and a series of guitar duo works that Cochran will perform and record with Scottish virtuoso Matthew McAllister.

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Matthew Cochran frequently collaborates with exciting, original compositional voices including Steve Reich, Max Richter, Edie Hill, Apostolos Paraskevas and Jacob Ter Veldhuis, who writes “I’m so impressed with Matthew’s performance [of my music]. The sounds he gets out of his guitar are gorgeous, the overall interpretation is splendid, his technique is fabulous, plus the mix is much to my taste. Bravo!!” In the 2023-2024 season, Cochran will premiere Sean Hickey’s Arroyo Secco for solo classical guitar and Jim Stephenson’s Unfettered concerto for guitar and wind ensemble. Cochran is Principal Guitarist for the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, highlights of the 2022-2023 season include performances with Bob James and chamber music recitals featuring works by Cochran and others.

American Guitarist and Composer Matthew Cochran is establishing a bold new repertoire for the guitar in the 21st century. His music combines elements of romanticism, minimalism and popular music, and No Depression raves “The pure emotive quality of Cochran’s music pulls you into its embrace and empties your heart with every note. Artfulness in composition is almost a trademark of Cochran’s work.” Cochran’s music for classical and electric guitars, electronics, and traditional chamber music are performed by a growing list of leading concert artists and ensembles. His works are published by Les Editions d’Oz.

Praised for his “commanding stage presence, intimate expression and inventive interpretation” (Soundboard) and "Strong, nuanced, textured performances with compelling dynamics and a beautiful sound” (Classical Guitar Magazine), Cochran’s performance roster includes the Guitar Foundation of America Convention, New York Guitar Seminar, Mostly Music Chicago, Carnegie Hall, Stetson International Guitar Festival, University of Louisville Guitar Festival, Sierra Nevada Guitar Festival, the Interlochen Center for the Arts, Mannes School of Music, Oberlin College, Eastman School of Music (USA), Śląska Jesień Gitarowa (Poland), Internationales Gitarren-Festival Iserlohn (Germany), the Classical Guitar Retreat (Scotland) and Acadia International Guitar Festival (Canada).

Featured on National Public Radio (NPR), British Broadcasting Company (BBC), Radio Poland and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

Cochran’s many recordings, performances and interviews have been featured on National Public Radio (NPR), British Broadcasting Company (BBC), Radio Poland and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) programming; podcasts and web series including Gallery of Guitar, One-Track Podcast and This is Classical Guitar; syndicated radio programs such as Latino USA and Classical Guitar Alive; he is a frequent guest on Interlochen Public Radio’s In Studio A, Kids Commute and Great Lakes Concerts. Cochran has recorded masterworks by luminaries such as J.S. Bach, Steve Reich, Manuel de Falla, Johann Pachelbel, Ólafur Arnalds, Max Richter, Enrique Granados, and many others, and he is often sought out by recording artists for his work as an audio and video producer. Cochran wrote, produced and hosted Goes2Eleven, a popular podcast about the world of the guitar which reached over 10,000 weekly listeners from 2014-2016.

"Strong, nuanced, textured performances with compelling dynamics and a beautiful sound” Classical Guitar Magazine

Cochran is an in-demand lecturer, ensemble coach and conductor. He has presented at guitar festivals, performing arts high schools and colleges throughout the U.S., Europe and Canada, including the Eastman School of Music, Louden All-County Guitar Festival, and the Classic Art Festival (Serbia). Dr. Cochran is Guitar Instructor at Interlochen Arts Academy, and he directs the Interlochen Classical Guitar Summer Intensive. Dr. Cochran’s students have been awarded scholarships to some of the finest Universities and Conservatories in the U.S. including the Juilliard School, Peabody Institute, Eastman School of Music, New England Conservatory, San Francisco Conservatory, University of Southern California, Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, University of Miami, California Institute of the Arts, Oberlin College, Belmont University, University of Texas Austin, Florida State University, Columbus University, Stetson University, and many more. Dr. Cochran's students have been featured on National Public Radio's From the Top and performances from the Interlochen Guitar program have been featured on American Public Media's Performance Today.

An active member of the classical guitar community, Cochran serves on the Board of Trustees of the Guitar Foundation of America. Cochran holds a Doctorate in Classical Guitar Performance from the Florida State University College of Music, and a Masters and Bachelors in Classical Guitar Performance from the Eastman School of Music. His primary teachers were Mark Stewart (Bang On a Can All-Stars, Musical Director for Paul Simon), Bruce Holzman (FSU) and Nicholas Goluses (Eastman).